Packing to leave

‘Passport?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Flight info?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Euros?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Underpants?’ The book glares at me. ‘What do you take me for?’ ‘It … More

On Discovering My Voice

I am at a thing. Canals are there. Sunlight on them, the last tourists, a shifting of the seasons. ‘Soon … More

Lifesaving Poems: Craig Raine’s ‘Heaven on Earth’

Heaven on Earth   Now that it is night, you fetch the wash from outer space,   from the frozen … More

Why do it?

because of the words and because of the books because of the woman in the anorak at the swimming baths … More

Lifesaving Poems: Boris Pasternak’s ‘Hamlet’

Hamlet   The buzz subsides. I have come on stage. Leaning in an open door I try to detect from … More

On writing and illness

Reading Arthur W. Frank’s astonishing At the Will of the Body  recently has given me pause to reflect on the relationship … More